Members of US Congress urge Tillerson to take strong stance on Turkish threats against Cypriot EEZ

Thirty-six members of the US House of Representatives encouraged US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to continue the active engagement by the State Department in the Eastern Mediterranean, including against Turkish threats concerning the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In a letter, the Representatives urged Tillerson to maintain a strong stance against rhetoric and provocations that threaten the spirit of cooperation and progress that has emerged in the region in recent years.
On July 13 energy giant Total is scheduled to begin exploratory drilling off Cyprus.

“We are writing to encourage continued active engagement by the State Department in the Eastern Mediterranean, and in particular to urge a strong stance against rhetoric and provocations that threaten the spirit of cooperation and progress that has emerged in the region in recent years,” the letter said.

“The burgeoning ties between Cyprus, Greece and Israel should be of particular importance to the United States. Beyond sharing democratic values, the three countries are increasingly collaborating in energy, counterterrorism, and tourism — fields that can contribute to European energy independence, promote economic stability in southern Europe and the Middle East, and help counter regional extremism and terrorism,” they added.

Israel’s partnerships with Greece and Cyprus, it said, ensure the security of Israel’s Mediterranean border. “Israel’s strategic depth has always been a challenge, even more so now while the region is experiencing deteriorating security. Greece and Cyprus allow the Israeli Air Force to conduct exercises over their territory. The three countries exchange intelligence and have conducted search and rescue missions together. Greece and Cyprus are only the second and third countries, after the US, with which Israel has signed a ‘status of forces agreement.’”.

Futhermore, they note that cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean has the power to create partnerships where there was once conflict.

“Energy collaboration has facilitated and furthered important regional conversations. Consistent high-level contacts and trilateral summits involve other regional stakeholders including the EU, Italy, Egypt and Lebanon, providing opportunities for diplomatic engagement between these nations — engagement that otherwise might not occur,” it said.

“Further, these new energy sources promise to allow key US allies and partners to decrease their energy dependence on suppliers like Russia and Iran”.

It is vital, they said, “that the State Department continue active engagement in the region — not just for the benefit of the US and Israel — but because the cooperation facilitated by natural gas finds is not without challenges. Turkey, which stands to benefit greatly from energy exploration, repeatedly violates Greece’s air and sea territory and has issued numerous threats against the continued exploration in and exploitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus. Cyprus’ EEZ is safeguarded under international law and has been consistently supported by the United States government. There is also a long-standing dispute over which nation controls a maritime area off the coast of the Israel-Lebanon border”.

“With so much progress and potential at stake, we urge you to publicly reaffirm the commitment of the United States to support energy exploration and exploitation in the Eastern Mediterranean in a manner consistent with long-standing US policy. Further, we look forward to the ongoing engagement of the State Department in facilitating and supporting diplomatic, military and economic cooperation among allies in the region,” they concluded.

This letter is the latest product of the partnership between the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). HALC and AJC worked with the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA) caucus and its two chairmen – Gus Bilirakis and Ted Deutch – launched the letter in time for the back to back conferences of the AJC and PSEKA.

“Israel’s partnerships with Greece and Cyprus, it said, ensure the security of Israel’s Mediterranean border.”
The ignorance of US Reps cannot be better demonstrated. They have no clue of geography and power distribution. Greece cannot control its own borders properly and Israel does not rely on Cypriot rubber dinghies.

Soho-Knights

I dont agree with you, but a good comment lol!

George Philis

The usual suspects in the US congress with their special interests. I have nothing against responsible lobbying… but this is getting out of hand for all the wrong reasons. I hope Turkey can offer a better vision to Rex.

Gold51

Talking to Erdogan and his cronies is like talking to a brickwall.
They have complete Tunnel vision with expansion on there mind.
They are time waister and everybody knows it.
They have no concern or interest in TC or GC.
Erdogans puppets will do as instructed. They will throw a spanner in the works as soon as a solution is in site.
Just keep monitoring. So predictably

Ozay Mehmet

Oh boy! the Rejection Camp hard at work to sabotage the Swiss negotiations.
I was wondering whatever happened to hydrocarbon drilling issue?

Douglas

Good to see America offering support of the established ‘EEZ’

Eye on Cyprus

“Thirty-six members of the US House of Representatives encouraged US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to continue the active engagement by the State Department in the Eastern Mediterranean, including against Turkish threats concerning the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).”

Does this mean that the other 399 Members of the Lower House don’t much care?

Neroli

They don’t know where Cyprus is anyway

Eye on Cyprus

Sure they do! It’s a small(ish) city in California; or an even smaller place in Houston, Texas; or a yet smaller place near nowhere in Florida. We all know that US spelling can be a little different; so they are all spelt as Cypress. The Americans even have a tree named in honour of Cyprus.

SuzieQ

????!

Neroli

????

Sonny Joannou

But they know where money is

hh faris

Eye on Cyprus, They only could afford to bribe the “Thirty-six members of the US House of Representatives. LOL

Eye on Cyprus

Sweet!

Mong Hlop

fart is back to explain the ways of the sick sultanate….

NICKDAVIS844

Turkey could though the 399.

mike nico

Its 36 more that he Zero have for turkey. Hope that answers your curiosity

Caulkhead

It seems that GC side is trying to use every opportunity at the moment to get the Turks to walk out of the talks. We all know the game they are playing and hope the Turkish side don’t rise to the bait. There needs to be no possible excuse for Nico to leave Switzerland.

Muchacho

Cavusoglu is doing a wonderful job of ensuring Turkey walks out and has given Anastasiades plenty of ammunition already.

cypbychoice

Plonker

Air Fuse

Chalk head actually.

Caulkhead

At least it is reassuring to know I must have hit the sweet spot, as I have the usual suspect resorting to name calling.

Mong Hlop

no name calling please – the prophet will take away your pilaf

Soho-Knights

You have not hit anything! you have revealed your position, which those who know, have corrected you. Dont feel that your comment is anything other than vacuous!

Mong Hlop

the brain power of the harem is awesome

NICKDAVIS844

Giving back a little of what Turkey stole for you as a settler is anathema for you to even think about.

Sonny Joannou

So all the troops and guarantees are going then

Slomi

It came at a very sensitive time.

NuffSaid

It has come at the right time.

Golgos

It seems that the strengthening of cypriot-israeli bilateral relationships was a checkmate move.

Muchacho

Wouldn’t say that. What we do need is a comprehensive solution to the Cyprob so that all sides can tone down the one-upmanship through the misguided ‘my friends are tougher than yours’ strategy that does not provide security for anyone. If we could find a solution that grants true independence and recognition of a united Cyprus, then those countries that have done nothing but cause damage to the region for their own interests lose a vital platform for increasing tensions. An independent, united Cyprus can negotiate pipelines etc with its neighbors but they have to soften their stance on Cyprus, in the case of Turkey and stop pretending to have the RoC’s back in the case of Greece who just want to egg on the Cypriots.

I understand that Turkey has the continental shelf argument and this is not related to the Cyprob but they need to drop this in favour of a deal regarding the transport of whatever amount of that cursed resource is down below. A solution to the Cyprob that is a compromise and as fair as it can be to both communities could have a positive psychological impact on this part of the med and makes increasing war fever more difficult for those warhawks.

cypbychoice

Well said my friend !

NICKDAVIS844

They should get their killing machine out of Cyprus, act as a peacemaker to unite the island , take back their settlers to their land of plenty and at last in the long killing history of Turkey, gain respect even from me and all those she harmed.

braveheart

Santa Claus was born in Turkey and is dead since a long time.

Soho-Knights

braveheart or would you prefer me to call you Mr. William Wallace? a Christian and a patriot. Lets be frank here, I look upon you as an old friend. You are a ‘wind up merchant’ Your name is synonymous with Christian values. St. Nicholas aka Fr. Christmas is also emblematic of all that is good in Christianity. As you know, he was not born in Turkey, but near what is now Turkey. A THOUSAND years before Turkey was thought of. No more porky pies please!
Do you really have an opinion? or do you like winding others up! I ask this question because your followers, who in all fairness, dont really understand English always press the Like button, and I worry that when they find out that you dont really believe all the tosh you write will be devastated!

braveheart

It seems that your reading habits are so superficial that you cannot differentiate between opinion and weather report. Whether Myra was in Turkey a millennium and a half ago is neither here nor there. Most places today are not what they were in ancient times. It’s an irrelevant comment, contrary to my response following NICK’s utterly unrealistic Christmas wish.

Soho-Knights

Come on! Claiming the most loved person in the world is Turkish and not Christian is fibbing at an epic proportion. Do you not see?

braveheart

Your superficial reading is apparent. Being born in Turkey or being Turkish are two entirely different things.
When expecting presents from Santa Claus very few think about religion, except NICK who wants to eliminate all Turks.

Soho-Knights

Ha! Ha! Ha! I don’t want to eliminate Turks or anyone else. You have to try and understand that hospitals universities orphanages and social services are rooted on Christianity. It is important that people do not forget this. Some people are continually rewriting history.

braveheart

Nonsense. There were great civilizations long before the event of Christianity. Ancient Egypt, Sumer, Assyria, Babylonia and Phoenicia come to mind. Chinese culture traces back thousands of years. No religion has such a monopoly.

Soho-Knights

Mr. Wallace I was referring to anno domini! Christianity serves all people of whatever faith or no faith. Color or race.

Slomi

Every religion has its own importance for those who follow it.

Soho-Knights

er! Unless you add some sentences your comment is meaningless!

Soho-Knights

Of course! But stop claiming that all religions are the same. They clearly are not. Pretending that they are while promoting the religion of submission is trully abhorrent in light of the atrocities happening daily all around the world in the name of your religion. I am brought to despair that you continually reject the love offered and instead defend this death cult’ that offers rewards of sex. You could not make this up!

Slomi

All religions are same and worth respect for me only for one reason that there are followers and believers and I believe in respecting the faith of each and every individual. That individual chooses his faith as for him his faith is the best.I have to respect this .

Soho-Knights

Of course you do! Bravo! Doesn’t mean what you say and believe is correct. Have you! Ever said something complimentary about the Church? No! You talk with forked tongue. You respect religions that use child sacrifices? You really need to take a deep breath and apologise.

Slomi

we also have “Fathers” who abuse small boys in churches. Stop this hatred game. We live with our defects.

Soho-Knights

Once again you cannot let go! We are all sinners! I repeat we are all sinners! The differences are that I recognize that I am imperfect and struggle daily to leave who I am and become who I am meant to be! You have done it again. Changed the subject! lol My dearest Slomi! I am reading between the lines and think that if we ever spoke face to face that we would probably agree on most thongs. You are in my prayers. xxx

Slomi

face to face:(

Soho-Knights

It ain’t going to happen but I feel that you are hiding not showing your true self!

Slomi

You and nuffsaid presume as I am not a blind Christian.

Soho-Knights

Slomi please rewrite your post. I cannot understand it!

Soho-Knights

Please write your post again as I cannot understand what you mean? What has nuffsaid got to do wth me?

Slomi

why and how you speak poison against other religions and do not expect that you will be hated with the same intensity as you hate them?Do you like to be hated?

Soho-Knights

Look through all past threads! Al I am doing is defending the truth from you trolls! I do not! Attack other religions. Pointing out that sexual rewards for the cutting off of the heads of Allah’s creation is madness! And demonic. Pointing out that people who are so hungry resorting to eating their excrement while sacred cows walk past is crazy! Is human life not worth more than an animal?

Slomi

These are terrorists. Do not try to play your hatred game on them. These terrorists have killed more Muslims than people from other religions.

Soho-Knights

These terrorists are Muslims. And through terror and sexual rewards they recruit. All those that do not follow the blueprint as laid down by him who must remain nameless are terrorized or killed. One minute you say all religions are valid and should be respected. Now! You say that these doctors and teachers and scholars and all manner of educated people are terrorists? What have I said that is a lie? What have I said that is defamatory? Nothing! As I have repeatedly said I hate no one. And daily pray for us all. Why do you think because I speak the truth that I hate. You know nothing about how I feel. and how I feel about others. If I thought for one moment that if I tried to explain that you might understand I would tell you. But you are not ready yet. Must get on with real issues’ instead of going around and around with you who never answers a question. Be blessed! xxx

Slomi

NO.They are not Muslims.Their religion is terrorism and they are killing more muslims than people of other religions.

Soho-Knights

These doctors lawyers educated people are not muslims? Really! what authority do you have to Say this? Have you read the Koran and hadiths! Do you know what kind of man the self proclaimed prophet was? Don’t bother to answer. The answer is no! Show some facts and evidence to show these monsters are not Muslims.

braveheart

Today it is not Christianity but social services paid for with out tax money.

Soho-Knights

William! I know ! but it was the Christians that even today help the vulnerable the outcast the poor and the persecuted. Whether they are black or white male or female Muslim or atheist. Christians have for two thousand years helped those in need. I think that all you who continually rubbish Christianity should remember this.

braveheart

So have other religions.

Soho-Knights

Again! You make unsubstantiated claims with no evidence. The religion of submission has started charities which is admirable. Which oother religion has gone to foreign countries and built schools and hospitals and orphanages for the local people. And even today are being killed for their efforts. None! Why don’t you just thank God for Jesus Christ!

braveheart

Soho-NIghts, don’t proselyte here. It’s the wrong forum. If you stand at street corners with a pamphlet it will be alright.

Soho-Knights

Of course it is! Stop slaging off the Church and there would be no reason to rebut your vacuios jibes. Funny though not one of your gang has produced any evidence that all religions are the same.

braveheart

Nothing has brought more wars, death and destruction to the world than religions. No intelligent person can defend such voodoo.

Soho-Knights

Here you go again telling me not to proselytise yet you want the last word! Look up causes of war and you will see that only 7% of wars have been caused by religion all religions! But don’t let facts stop you from sitting in judgement and condemning others.

braveheart

Your math was obviously never existent.

Soho-Knights

Not only math but all other subjects! Be well I really must get back to something worth while! xxx

Soho-Knights

It aint going to happen! Allowing Islam to come and set up separate states on Cyprus is not beneficial to us. Let them keep the North and remain friends.

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